Rob Bonta (File Photo – Pi.1415926535)
California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Wednesday joined a bipartisan coalition of 44 attorneys general in urging Congress to reject the proposed Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act), arguing that the legislation would weaken state authority over online child safety protections and replace existing laws with ineffective federal standards.
By News Desk
In a letter sent to Congress, the coalition warned that the KIDS Act would broadly preempt state laws addressing major technology and online safety issues, including online obscenity and the regulation of artificial intelligence chatbots. The attorneys general argued that the bill threatens progress states have already made in combating harms posed by social media platforms to children.
“California has led the nation in confronting the growing dangers young people face online, from addictive platform designs to emerging AI technologies that threaten children’s mental health, safety, and wellbeing,” Bonta said in a statement. “The KIDS Act not only fails to meaningfully protect kids, but also, imperils the significant progress California has made on this front.”
Bonta added that while congressional action on online safety is welcome, federal measures should build upon protections already enacted by states rather than override them.
The coalition’s opposition comes amid growing scrutiny of social media companies and their impact on youth mental health. According to the letter, excessive time spent online has been linked to depression, anxiety, eating disorders, addiction, and disruptions to learning and daily life. The attorneys general also noted evidence suggesting that social media companies are aware of the mental health consequences faced by underage users but continue using practices designed to maximize engagement.
California has pursued legal action against major technology companies over these concerns. The state’s ongoing lawsuits against Meta and TikTok allege that the companies intentionally designed their platforms to addict young users, encouraging prolonged use at the expense of children’s mental and physical health.
In recent years, California lawmakers have enacted several measures aimed at addressing online harms to children. In 2024, the state passed the Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act (SB 976), which restricts social media companies and website operators from using addictive algorithmic feeds, notifications, and similar design features targeting minors without parental consent.
California also enacted the Social Media Warning Law (AB 56), requiring social media platforms to display periodic warning labels for children and teens. The warnings state that social media use is associated with significant mental health harms and has not been proven safe for young users.
The bipartisan coalition opposing the KIDS Act includes attorneys general from Connecticut, Hawai‘i, Ohio, Tennessee, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, the Northern Mariana Islands, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
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